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A Different Ocean Full of Isolated Instruments, BGVs

While playing a slightly genre-bending style of metal (mixing vocal elements of hardcore with both classic and modern day speed metal), As I Lay Dying could certainly be tagged as “powerful.”

The core of their sound is so tight and menacing it feels almost as if the twin guitars of Nick Hipa and Phil Sgrosso, along with the bass of since-departed Clint Norris, are melded into one unit with Jordan Mancino’s drums. To assist front man Tim Lambesis in production duties, the band enlisted Killswitch Engage guitarist and mastermind producer Adam Dutkiewicz (Underoath, The Agony Scene).

One of the two noticeable differences between An Ocean Between Us and 2005’s Shadows Are Security is a slight separation between the instruments. While still more than capable of pummeling the ears into submission, these 12 songs isolate the instruments a tad more, allowing one to identify guitar, drum or bass before it takes the kill shot to listeners’ ears.

The other notable difference is the addition of harmonious BGVs that decorate more songs than not. This dynamic brings some of the upfront faith-based lyrics from the cryptic, “what is he growling?” to the memorable, making them perfect for singing along. Like Dutkiewicz’s band, this treatment should expand the AILD fan base considerably.